War on Terrorism

Thursday, July 14, 2011

Combined Security Force Kills Several Insurgents

WASHINGTON, July 14, 2011 – An Afghan-led combined security force killed six Haqqani network fighters including one armed adult female insurgent during an operation in the Khost district of Afghanistan’s Khost province yesterday, military officials reported.

The security force was attacked by several armed insurgents while attempting to clear a compound near a coalition base in the district. Multiple insurgents, armed with AK-47 rifles and pistols, fired at the security force. The force engaged the insurgents, killing three.

As the combined force continued to search the compound, another insurgent attempted to engage the force with his AK-47 and was killed. Almost immediately after, a female insurgent, armed with a pistol, fired on the security force. The force returned fire, killing her.

The target of the operation was a Haqqani leader responsible for indirect fire attacks against the Afghan National Army and the transfer of weapons and explosives throughout the district. An additional insurgent was also killed during the engagement, for a total of six insurgents killed.

One female civilian received non-life threatening injuries during the incident. The security force provided immediate medical care on the scene and transported her to a medical facility for routine follow-up care.

The Haqqani female fighter is one of several females who have attacked Afghan and coalition forces within recent months. There have been multiple instances of armed females attacking security forces and insurgent groups using females as suicide bombers.

In June, while conducting a security operation in Kunar province, an Afghan-led security force was attacked by a female suicide bomber. The female, dressed in traditional attire, used her burqa to hide the bomb attached to her body. The female militant detonated the explosive as she moved near the security force, killing three Afghan interpreters.

In late May, two Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan female fighters, armed with assault rifles and pistols, fired at a combined security force in Takhar province. The security force returned fire, killing the insurgents.

Additionally, combined security forces have received several reports of insurgents planning to use female fighters in future attacks against Afghan government officials and combined security forces. One of the planned attacks was to target the Dand district governor and Dand district center.

In other Afghanistan news yesterday:

-- A combined Afghan and coalition security force killed several insurgents during an operation in the Marjeh district of Helmand province. The force was searching for an insurgent facilitator when a group of armed attackers engaged the force with small arms fire. The security force returned fire, killing several insurgents. Following the exchange, multiple attackers were detained by Afghan authorities for further questioning.

-- Also in Marjeh, a combined Afghan and coalition force discovered a weapons cache. The cache included six rocket-propelled grenades, 880 rounds of small arms ammunition, and improvised explosive device materials. The weapons and materials were seized by the security force and will be destroyed.

-- An Afghan-led security force detained two suspected insurgents while searching for a Taliban facilitator in the Ghorak district of Kandahar province. The Taliban facilitator is responsible for distributing illicit goods and transporting materials from Pakistan to northern Helmand province.

-- A combined Afghan and coalition security force detained one suspect insurgent while searching for a Taliban leader in the Daman district of Kandahar province. The Taliban leader is responsible for several attacks against the Afghan army.

-- An Afghan-led force detained two suspected insurgents during a security operation in the Shajoy district of Zabul province. The force was searching for a Taliban leader responsible for roadside bomb attacks in the district.

-- In the Charkh district of Logar province, an Afghan-led force detained two suspects while searching for a Taliban leader. The leader is the Taliban-appointed deputy governing official for operations in the area and is responsible for attacks against Afghan security forces.

-- In the Musa Kehl district of Khost province, an Afghan-led force detained several suspects while searching for a Haqqani network leader. The Haqqani leader oversees and supports high-profile attacks in the area.

-- While searching for a Haqqani network leader in the Sabari district of Khost province, an Afghan-led security force detained numerous suspected insurgents. The Haqqani leader directs fighters involved in roadside bomb attacks and is involved in the distribution of weapons and explosives.